As Reuters recently reported, following the federal permitting delays, the Vineyard Wind 1 Project will not be ready for operations in 2022, missing the target to send power to Massachussets. Specifically, the final permits of the project are estimated to be issued almost a year and a half after its previous target of August 2019.
According to the revised permitting timeline by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the final decision is expected by 18 December 2020.
While we need to analyze what a longer permitting timeline will mean for beginning construction, commercial operation in 2022 is no longer expected. We look forward to the clarity that will come with a final EIS so that Vineyard Wind can deliver this project to Massachusetts and kick off the new US offshore energy industry.
…Vineyard Wind Chief Executive, Lars Pedersen noted.
In fact, the Vineyard Wind had hoped to begin its construction operations for the project, last year but it has experienced several delays over concerns.
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For the records, the 800 MW project is expected to power around 400.000 homes, as it is the first large-scale offshore wind farm in the United States.
The updated timeline of the permitting schedule for the Vineyard Wind project is disappointing. Regulatory delays – especially of a new industry – could open the door to unexpected and unintended bottlenecks and holdups.
….said National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik G. Milito.
Moreover, the Vineyard Wind is located in New Bedford, Massachusetts and is a joint venture among Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Avangrid Inc.
The Vineyard Wind project is a win for the American people, the energy industry and the environment. We are optimistic that the expanded timeline for the project will ultimately clear the way for a robust U.S. offshore wind industry.
…Erik G. Milito concluded.
